Businessman Jim Schwartzel won the Republican primary for Florida’s 19th Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Catalina Lauf, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The Associated Press called the race for Schwartzel at 8:03 p.m. ET, with Schwartzel securing 29.2% of the vote to Lauf’s 21.9%.
The primary field included ten candidates, with Schwartzel and Lauf advancing past former Republican Representatives Madison Cawthorn and Chris Collins, who finished with single-digit percentages. The district, which has a strong Republican lean, is expected to send Schwartzel to Congress in November.
Schwartzel’s victory follows Trump’s late endorsement of Lauf, which came just days before the primary. Lauf, a former Trump administration official, had previously run unsuccessfully for Congress in Illinois before relocating to Florida. Schwartzel, a conservative media executive, received endorsements from Republican figures including Rep. Jim Jordan and former Florida lawmakers Connie Mack III and Connie Mack IV.
Key developments in the race
- Trump’s endorsement shift: Lauf received Trump’s backing on August 13, reversing earlier expectations that Schwartzel would secure the nomination. The president praised Lauf in a Truth Social post, calling her a “former Presidential Appointee at the U.S. Department of Commerce in my First Administration” with “the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results.”
- Schwartzel’s counterarguments: Schwartzel emphasized his deep ties to Florida, contrasting Lauf’s recent relocation. Lauf countered by describing herself as a “blue state refugee,” arguing she chose to live in Florida rather than being born there.
- Field dynamics: The primary included a mix of candidates with varied backgrounds, including Cawthorn, who served one term in Congress before facing scandals, and Collins, who resigned after a federal insider trading conviction and later received a Trump pardon.
Outgoing Rep. Byron Donalds, who represented the district, is running for governor and won his GOP primary on Tuesday. The general election for the 19th District will feature Schwartzel as the heavy favorite against Democratic nominee David Jolly.
Campaign rhetoric and strategy
Schwartzel framed his campaign around local experience, while Lauf’s team highlighted her alignment with Trump’s agenda. Observers noted the race drew national attention due to its crowded field and the high-profile endorsements involved. Some media outlets described the primary as “circus-like” or “crazy,” reflecting the unusual mix of candidates and the late-stage Trump endorsement.
The results mark a rare setback for Trump’s endorsement record, which has exceeded a 90% success rate in primary contests since 2018. Schwartzel’s win underscores the competitive dynamics even within heavily Republican districts when multiple candidates with strong backing enter the race.